There are many cycling advocates in the city of Portland. I'm an advocate of alternative transportation, but to spend $600+ million on new bike-ways in Portland? I think that's rather ridiculous. We are not a European City as much as some would like to think we are. We are not Vancouver, CA even though many wish we were. Portland has a lot of people using alternative transportation and that is great. There is a pretty good bus and rail system here and already many bike lanes bike-only pathways.
I'm just not so sure this is part of the solution to Portland's traffic problems that are getting worse. How many more people will really ride to work it if the city spends over 30Mill a year for this plan? You could build another light rail train line for that cost and lots more people use the train than bike. A train from the SW areas of Tigard & Lake Oswego to downtown would help traffic tremendously (instead of the current Tigard "commuter" train that only goes to Beaverton). Do I even need to mention the drop off in number of bicycles in our garage here at work from Oct-April? Bike ridership probably cuts in half 6 months out of the year here. What a waste of 600million on construction projects that will only get used 50% of the year.
I really wonder what this city is thinking sometimes with where it decides to spend money. Do I even need to talk about the $400,000 cement "art wall" that is 200' long and meant to keep people from crossing 82nd street near my work? What a ridiculous expense and it's taken over 4 months to build!
Oh and another thing I've learned while living in Portland is don't criticize Portland or the people who live here. Locals will become highly defensive and any reading this will probably rail on me for my critique or call me a bicycle hater or something 
Jessica
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Spending that kind of money where it’s really only going to be used 9 months out of the year seem a little excessive. A light rail might be better.
BTW how’s Twin Peaks? I live in Ladera Ranch and always think of you when I look at the mountians out my back door. Last week they had snow covering, and yesterday and today we’re getting about 3-4 inches of rain. (In fact it’s raining hard right now.) Tomorrow snow levels are supposed to drop with a new cold front and they might get more snow falling.
I think next year I might just sign up for your race, and I as hoping to check it out this year. Because I’m fairy new to trail running.
bob
Hi Jessica
Before I go any further apologies for the approach through your blog but I’ve got to you through the CRN. I really like the reviews you’ve done on there and was hoping you’d take a look at the iPhone app we’ve released for runners, cyclists and wheelchairs athletes. I know there’s a lot of them out there but this one really is different.
Anyway, contact me if you’re interested, and if not please excuse the intrusion into your blog (which makes for a great read)
Hannah
Just checked your weather…High 50′s and sunny today. What’s up with that? You should be out getting a solid run in. Being from Minnesota, this like an 85 degree day. Get out there and enjoy it!